Aachen court follows Munich: Google liable for AI Overview / AI Mode answers
THE DECODER reported on 18 Oct 2026 that the Aachen Regional Court, in a 24 Sep ruling, expressly relied on Munich Regional Court I’s reasoning that Google’s AI search answers are the company’s own statements, and issued an injunction; Munich’s announced appeal ended in a settlement without a higher-court ruling.
Per THE DECODER on 18 October 2026, Munich Regional Court I held in May that Google’s AI-generated search summaries (AI Overviews) are Google’s own statements, not mere third-party search results, after AI falsely linked two Munich publishers to fraud schemes. Google publicly said it would appeal, but Decoder reports the appeal never reached a decision and the case settled, so no higher court endorsed or rejected the Munich reasoning; whether money changed hands was not disclosed.
In a decision dated 24 September 2026, the Aachen Regional Court barred Google from spreading certain false statements and explicitly relied on Munich’s reasoning. A physician who had been chief of neuroradiology found Google’s “AI Mode” explaining his departure with fabricated sexual-assault claims and inventing legal follow-ups when users searched terms like suspension and court proceedings; the court said the criminal case involved a different former professor. After a late-August takedown request, Google said in mid-September it would take no action.
Aachen enjoined further spread of three disputed text variants on an emergency basis without first hearing Google, with fines of up to €250,000 per violation. The court wrote that the respondent provides AI-generated search and is therefore responsible for answers generated in that context. Decoder notes the decision is not yet final and Google can challenge it. This article relies on secondary reporting; the court PDF was not obtained.